Email Newsletters

Iowa population up in largest cities, down in 69 counties

April 19, 2019

DES MOINES (AP) — Census estimates show strong growth in the Des Moines metro area as well as the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas, but more than two-thirds of Iowa's counties have lost population since 2010.

Polk County remained the most populous, growing by 56,572 residents since 2010 to 487,204 people as of July 1, 2018. That's an increase of 13.1%.

Dallas County, which includes much of Des Moines' western suburbs, grew by 36.4% to 90,180, making it among the nation's fastest growing counties.

Linn County, which includes Cedar Rapids, grew by 6.9% to 225,909 to remain the second-largest county, and Scott County, home to Davenport, was third with 173,203.

Johnson County, which includes Iowa City, grew by 15.6% to 151,260.

Of Iowa's 99 counties, 69 lost population.

Clinton County had the largest drop, losing 2,599 people. Emmett County lost 10.2% of its population for the state's biggest rate decline.